Shavasana + Lentil Torta= Loving Lentil Torta

My Beautiful Yogi Friend Adrienne Hengels

As I was sitting with a good girlfriend this past week who is going through a break-up, she expressed something that deeply resonated inside of me…she said “my guy was my go to person, the person I went to when I felt down, happy, sad, mad, angry etc. and now I don’t have that.” Wow, can I totally relate to that sentiment…I definitely remember and still at times feel that I don’t know how I am going to get through a tough space without a go to person. Yet, what I told my girlfriend and what my beautiful friend Kate Muker once told me is that the person that knows exactly what you need and can comfort you the best is yourself. While it is still important to have good girlfriends and boyfriends who will hold loving space and listen to you, the person that always knows best is YOU.

So why do we not trust ourselves enough to listen? I think there are a number of reasons. One may be that, our truth, or the next step we make in our relationships, career, etc., often times is the “scarier” step; so we make excuses, hesitate, and hold back. Another reason that became so clear to me last week, as I was watching a movie on Eating Disorder Awareness, is that we don’t trust ourselves at times because we are getting messages from the media, our friends, our families, etc. that “If only I was”(fill in the blank; thinner, more muscular, had a stronger Yoga practice, had a boyfriend/girlfriend)…then I would be happier and my life would be complete, etc. It is no wonder we all are running to “the person” or “the thing” that will make it all better; we at times don’t believe we are enough.

While these are real scenarios, what is also real is that at any given moment we ARE ENOUGH, and within this idea we have the power to make a choice. To make a choice to listen to the amazing and unique person inside of all of us who can draw the bath for us, take us to dinner, give us good advice, and LOVE us unconditionally.

This weeks Yoga and Recipe pairing is Shavasana and a loving lentil torta. While on the outside Shavasana may seem like the “easiest” pose in the Yoga practice, in contrary it is probably one of the most challenging. Challenging not in the physical, but merely in the sitting still. We lie completely still in Shavasana at the end of the Yoga Practice to breath naturally, let go, and at the same time stay completely connected, aware, and conscious. It is an opportunity to connect back to our true essence. A week ago I lied in Shavasana for almost 1 full hour, and while at times all I wanted to do was move, I chose to stay. It was actually a very freeing experience, because it allowed me to slow down long enough to connect back in with the person that was laying on my mat… myself.

The Loving Lentil Torta recipe fits in nicely with shavasana, because this torta was created from a space of listening to what my body actually wanted. It was cool to see the shift in mentality for me of connecting in with myself and making a choice about what to eat from a place of listening, rather than from the place of “how many calories does this have?” or “is this good for me?”

In the end the only person that will ever truly know what is best for us is ourselves. Take this week as an opportunity to connect back in with you, the body and soul that always has your back, and is your number one fan. Make this week about nourishing and restoring you and your essence, lie in shavasana, eat some yummy tortas, take a bath, connect with nature, etc. Have fun being in your own company, and see what happens when you start listening to the amazing person known as YOU!

With Much Love and Gratitude,

 

 

 

Loving Lentil Torta Recipe:
(Serves 4-6 people)

Ingredients:
-1 cup of dry lentils (any variety will work, I used french lentils)
-2 cups of water
-1 tbsp of Olive Oil
-3/4 cup of chopped onions
-2 cloves of garlic
-4 ounces of tomato sauce
-1 tbsp of cumin
-1-2 tsps. of chili powder (it depends how spicy you like it)
-1 tsp of sea salt (or more to taste)
-shredded lettuce (any variety, preferably organic)
-3/4 cup of chopped tomatoes
-1-2 avocados
-1 cup of roasted corn ( I used the corn of 1 cob, sliced the kernels off and roasted in the oven at 350 degrees F for approx. 15-20 minutes. Note you can use any variation of corn you like)
-8 Tortillas (I used a sprouted corn variety but you can use any variation
-Salsa (any variety for garnish)
-Cilantro (optional for garnish)

Preparation and Cooking:
-Take two cups of water and bring to a boil. Once water is boiled add the 1 cup of lentils and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain any excess water that may be in left over in the lentils pot.
-Once the lentils are cooked start by sauteing in a medium to large pan 1 tbsp of olive oil, onions, and garlic. Sautee on a medium-low heat for approx 3-4 minute. Add in the cooked lentils, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, and sea salt. Stir well and cook on a medium heat for about 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat to a low temperature and simmer for about 10 minutes; letting all the flavors mix in.
-While the lentil mixture is cooking, bake tortillas in the oven at 350 F until crispy, approx 10 minutes.
-Now you are ready to make a masterpiece…:)

-On a plate lay down 1 tortilla. Then begin the stacking, starting first with the lentil taco mixture. Then stack with tomatoes, lettuce, corn, avocado, salsa, and cilantro.

Serve and enjoy!